Device and method of manufacturing a device for detecting hydrocarbons

Abstract

An example a method of manufacturing a film is provided. The method involves dissolving a backbone material in a non-aqueous solvent to form a non-aqueous solution. The method further involves adding the non-aqueous solution to an aqueous solution to form a liquid-liquid interface and injecting a particulate proximate to the liquid-liquid interface the non-aqueous solution is then evaporated to form a film containing the particulate. The film may be used in devices such as sensor devices for detecting hydrocarbons.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of manufacturing a film, the method comprising:
 dissolving a backbone material in a non-aqueous solvent to form a non-aqueous solution; 
 adding the non-aqueous solution to an aqueous solution to form a liquid-liquid interface; 
 injecting a particulate proximate to the liquid-liquid interface; and 
 evaporating the non-aqueous solution to form a film containing the particulate at a surface of the aqueous solution; 
 wherein the backbone material includes one or more of paraffin wax, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, and Nafion. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the particulate comprises one or more of carbon, metals, metal oxides, and composite materials. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the non-aqueous solvent is either toluene or hexane. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the aqueous solution comprises a phosphate buffer. 
     
     
       5. A device comprising:
 a film tolerant of a variety of water-immiscible liquids, wherein the film is formed by:
 dissolving a backbone material in a non-aqueous solvent to form a non-aqueous solution; 
 adding the non-aqueous solution to an aqueous solution to form a liquid-liquid interface; 
 injecting a particulate proximate to the liquid-liquid interface; and 
 evaporating the non-aqueous solution to form a film containing the particulate; and 
 a magnetic material supported by the film, wherein the magnetic material is capable of manipulating the film. 
 
 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 5 , wherein the magnetic material comprises magnetic nanoparticles embedded in the film. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 6 , wherein the magnetic nanoparticles are magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ). 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 5 , wherein the film can separate an immiscible liquid from water. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 5 , wherein the film can separate oil from water. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 9 , wherein the film is to transport the oil to a collection device via a magnetic field. 
     
     
       11. A method of manufacturing a film, the method comprising:
 dissolving a backbone material in a non-aqueous solvent to form a non-aqueous solution; 
 adding the non-aqueous solution to an aqueous solution to form a liquid-liquid interface; 
 injecting a particulate proximate to the liquid-liquid interface; and 
 evaporating the non-aqueous solution to form a film containing the particulate at a surface of the aqueous solution; 
 wherein the particulate comprises one or more of carbon, metals, metal oxides, and composite materials. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the non-aqueous solvent is either toluene or hexane. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the aqueous solution comprises a phosphate buffer. 
     
     
       14. A method of manufacturing a film, the method comprising:
 dissolving a backbone material in a non-aqueous solvent to form a non-aqueous solution; 
 adding the non-aqueous solution to an aqueous solution to form a liquid-liquid interface; 
 injecting a particulate proximate to the liquid-liquid interface; and 
 evaporating the non-aqueous solution to form a film containing the particulate at a surface of the aqueous solution; 
 wherein the aqueous solution comprises a phosphate buffer. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the non-aqueous solvent is either toluene or hexane.